MACON, Ga. — After Matt Brown was killed in his North Macon neighborhood, his wife Sylvia Rose-Brown used her experience to create positive change for victims of violent crime.
In the aftermath of her husband's death, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis announced a partnership that they think will better support the families affected by violence.
"It was a call to action and we acted," Davis said.
Davis said he's long wanted to provide immediate support for families who lose a loved one due to a crime. It wasn't until Rose-Brown spoke at the county commission meeting that Davis knew something needed to change.
"Dr. Brown mentioned her experience on the night that she lost her husband and the things that she saw and the things she experienced. It really struck a need," Davis said.
Rose-Brown knew she needed to speak up because she didn't want anyone else to share her experience.
"That night I felt very isolated. I felt very alone and I felt like no one was there to kinda hear my concerns or my struggles that night," Rose-Brown said,
The sheriff's department is now partnering with The Southern Center for Choice Theory, a Macon-based group, to offer support to victims of crime.
Davis said they will be called by whoever is handling the crime scene to support the family during the first few hours, a time that can often feel like chaos for the family of the victim.
"There's all these different people coming around and this will sort of help to bring some calm to that, bring some support to see them sort of where they are right then and what they need, and to give them some ideas as to what they expect next," Davis said.
Rose-Brown said people need to share what they're feeling because it could help others.
"All it takes is one person. I don't feel like I did anything that was so monumental other than share my experience with others," Rose-Brown said.
The partnership is up and running, but they haven't been called out to a scene yet. Sheriff Davis said he sees this project expanding into other areas like assaults or car wrecks.
If you'd like to donate items or volunteer for this victims' support group, you can reach out to The Southern Center for Choice Theory at 478-741-1268.